Pulping apparatus

ABSTRACT

A pulping apparatus is provided, adapted to receive therein solid debris for comminution to a desired size in a liquid medium, such as water, Water and debris are received in the bottom of a tank having a disclike impeller rotatably driven at the bottom thereof and a sizing ring disposed at the bottom of the tank about the impeller whereby, during rotation of the impeller, there is effected a size reduction of solid particles by means of teeth carried by the impeller. Debris which is sufficiently sized passes through holes in the sizing ring an is discharged from the pulping tank. A particularly novel structure is provided for effecting a scissorslike cutting action by means of cutting elements carried by each of the tank and the rotatable impeller. A novel configuration is also provided for the outermost edge of the impelling disc, relative to the sizing ring such that fluid and debris in the tank is driven across their common running clearances passage, rather than through the passage. A ramp is also provided, centrally located relative to the impeller, for preventing balling-up of rags and the like at the center of the impeller.

United States Patent [72] lnventors William 11. Combs Wayne; Sam N.Craig, Devon; Ellis R. Warner, Jr., West Chester; Wayne T. Buckman,Pipersville, Pa.

[21] AppLNo. 751,536

[22] Filed Aug. 9, 1968 [45] Patented May 11, 1971 [73] Assignee WasconSystems,lncorporated Hatboro,Pa.

[54] PULPING APPARATUS 16 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl 24l/46.02, 241/46.l l, 241/74 [51] Int. Cl ..B02c 18/12,B02c 18/22, B02c 18/40 [50] Field of Search 241/46,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,852,200 9/ 1958 l-lolzer24l/46.11 2,947,486 8/1960 l-liger 241/46.l 1X 3,071,328 1/1962 l-liger241/46.11

Primary Examiner-Donald G. Kelly Attorney-Paul & Paul ABSTRACT: Apulping apparatus is provided, adapted to receive therein solid debrisfor comminution to a desired size in a liquid medium, such as water,Water and debris are received in the bottom of a tank having a disclikeimpeller rotatably driven at the bottom thereof and a sizing ringdisposed at the bottom of the tank about the impeller whereby, duringrotation of the impeller, there is effected a size eduction of solidparticles by means of teeth carried by the impeller. Debris which issufficiently sized passes through holes in the sizing ring an isdischarged from the pulping tank. A particularly novel structure isprovided for effecting a scissorslike cutting action by means of cuttingelements carried by each of the tank and the rotatable impeller. A novelconfiguration is also provided for the outermost edge of the impellingdisc, relative to the sizing ring such that fluid and debris in the tankis driven across their common running clearances passage, rather thanthrough the passage. A ramp is also provided, centrally located relativeto the impeller, for preventing balling-up of rags and the like at thecenter of the impeller.

Patented a 11',1911. 3,578,250

2 Sheets-sheet 1 A I INVENTORS. WILLIAM H. COMBS SAM N. CRAIG ELLIS R.WARNER, JR. WAYNE T. BUCKMAN MAM ATTORNEYS.

PULPING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In recent years trashdisposal has becomea major problem, especially in urban areas, wherelarge concentrations of peo-' ple produce large quantities of trash.

Various steps have, therefore, been taken directed toward wastedisposal, many of which involve waste comminution, whereby solids arereduced in size an amount sufficient to facilitate subsequent disposal.The subsequent disposal may either be by collection or'by pipelinedisposal, in either instance the final disposal operation beingconsiderably. less difficult if the original volume of waste has beenreduced by a factor of 75 percent or 80 percent.

In this regard, apparatus has been developed such as the pulpingapparatus of application Ser. No. 580,445 filed Sept. 20, 1966, now Pat.No. 3,489,356, issued Jan. 13, 1970, which has been successful inreducing the particle size of trash mixtures-while such mixtures aresubmerged in water. Such apparatus is generally referred to as pulpingapparatus due to the submerged nature of the debris during comminution.

While the pulping apparatus of the application identified above hasoperated in a highly successful manner, improvements have been madetherein which enhance the ability of the pulping apparatus to handlevarious materials such as plastic sheets, rags and the like in additionto the assorted debris which the pulping apparatus has previously beenable to handle effectively.

In particular, it has been found highly desirable to provide some meansfor reducing the size of large plastic sheets, rags and the like whichwould more effectively and inore efficiently cornminute such debris.

Another problem which the present invention is directed toward has alsobeen the handling of rags and like debris which could possibly tend toball-up at the center of the impeller. 1

Other efforts have been made toward previenting jamming of the impellerby particles becoming lodged beneath the impeller or otherwise retardingthe effectiveness of the impeller rotation. i

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIQN The present invention is directed towardsolying some of the problems heretofore present in pulping apparatus andtoward providing a more effective and more efficient apparatus which iscapable of handling a wider range of materials for immediate sizereduction. In this regard, a device is provided centrally of theimpeller and carried thereby which is effective for discarding rags orthe like which may otherwise tend to ball-up, and which impells suchrags or other ldebris toward a radial outward portion of the impellerwhere comminution will be more effective. Also, it has been found that ascissorslike cutting action is effective for reducing the size ofvarious trash components, and in this regard one or more fixed bladesare carried by the pulping tank in close relationship to upstanding skiblocks" orsimilar upstanding cutting members for effectively shearingvarious materials during the pulping process. The impeller disc has alsobeen arranged relative to the sizing ring and ski blocks" to directfluid and particles through the sizing ring across the opening betweenthe disc and sizing ring, and not through the opening.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide anapparatus for more effectively pulping various debris into particles ofreduced size. g

It is another object of this invention to provide a pulping apparatuswhich includes a means for shearing various debris by a scissorslikeaction between relatively movable cutting elements.

It is a further object of this invention to accomplish the above objectswherein a rotating impeller is utilized which includes a device forpreventing a dea space above-the center thereof, whereby various debrisis effectively transferred to a comminuting zone of the apparatus.

It is a further object of this invention .to-accomplish the aboveobjects in a manner which prevents clogging of the sizing ring and/orthe rotary impeller.

Various objects and advantages of the present invention will be readilyapparent to one skilled in the art upon a study of the following briefdescription of the drawing FIGURES, detailed description of thepreferred embodiments, and the appended claims.

IN THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of the lowermost portion of agenerally cylindrical pulping tank of this invention,'taken generallyalong the line H of FIG. 2, and wherein various comminuting or cuttingelements are illustrated.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the lower portion of the pulping tankillustrated in FIG. I, wherein the relative disposition of the fixed andmoving cutting elements is clearly illustrated along with the centrallylocated ramp means carried by the rotatable impeller.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view taken generally along the line Ill-Ill ofFIG. I, wherein there is illustrated, in side view, the relativerelationship between a fixed blade carried by the tank and a movableblade carried by the rotatable impeller of this invention. I

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the ramp means of FIGS. 1and 2 carried centrally of the impeller disc.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of an alternativepulping apparatus 'of this invention utilizing a different type ofscissorslike cutting means and a different form of ramp means.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of the portion of the pulping tankillustrated in FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view taken generally along the line VlI-Vlll OFFIG. 5, wherein there is illustrated the relative disposition of thefixed and moving elements of this form of cutting means of thisinvention.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary top perspective view of the ramp meansillustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 of this invention.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, reference is first made to FIG.1, wherein there is illustrated the pulping apparatus of this inventiongenerally designated by the numeral 10, including an upper tank portion11, a lower chamber 12,

and a rotary impeller, generally designated by the numeral 13.

The tank portion ll comprises a generally cylindrical chamber 14terminating at its lower end in a radially inwardly directed butdownwardly sloped annular flange 15.

An annular sizing ring 16 has a flange 17 extending obliquely from asidewall 18 thereof, the flange 17 being bolted or otherwise secured tothe flange 15 of the tank by means of suitable cap screws 20 or likefasteners. The sizing ring 16 is provided with a plurality of sizingholes 21 extending therethrough about the cylindrical portion 18thereof. The holes 21 are generally of a substantial number; forexample, in the embodiment illustrated, the sizing ring 16 may have Iholes, each five-eighths inch in diameter. At the bottom of the sizingring 16 there is provided a lowermost ring portion 22 welded orotherwise suitably connected to the ring 16. An abrasive such as frit orthe like 23 is imbedded or otherwise secured in an upper inner surfaceof the ring portion 22 for a purpose later to be described.

A plurality of equidistantly arcuately spaced fixed blades 24 are boltedto the tank flange 15, by the bolts 20 or similar fastening means, thefixed blades 24 also having a frit or other abrasive 25 on a lowermostsurface thereof. Each blade 24 includes a connecting portion 26 and acutting portion 27, angularly offset relative to the connecting portion26. Each cutting cutting portions 27 of the fixed blades 24 each extendpartway across the impeller 13, and each have a chamfer or angularlycutaway edge 28, for providing a scissorslike cutting action in a mannerlater to be described.

The impelling means 13 comprises a disc 30 secured to a rotatable shaft31 by means of a cap headed screw 32 or other suitable fastening meansand a washer 33 with a supporting disc 34 being press fit or otherwisecarried by the shaft 31, such that the disc 30 is sandwiched between thewasher 33 and the disc 34. A screw 35 may connect the disc 30 andsupporting disc 34 to prevent relative rotation thereof.

The disc 30 comprises a flat steel plate, for example, threeeighths inchthick to which are attached generally by silver soldering or the like, aplurality (for example 30) of tungsten carbide teeth 36. The teeth 36are cut on a diagonal from onehalf inch cubes or the like according tothe disclosure of appli cation Ser. No. 580,445 filed Sept. 20, i966,referred to hereinabove.

A pair of upstanding cutting members 37, are provided, and are generallytermed ski blocks each of which are carried by the disc plate 30 byscrews 38 or the like and which extend upwardly from the plate 30, beingdisposed in chordlike disposition relative to the outer edge 40 of theimpeller plate 30.

Each cutting member 37 has a downwardly sloping or chamfered leadingsurface 41, which tenninates at its lower end at the upper surface ofthe disc 30 and which terminates at its upper end in a flat orhorizontal surface 42 to which there is secured a tungsten carbide tooth43, generally similar to the teeth 36, and similarly oriented with aleading backwardly sloped edge 44 at a substantially right angle to atrailing surface 45, in a manner similar to the teeth of the applicationmentioned above. A similar such tooth 46 is soldered or otherwisesecured to a radial outennost surface 47 of each of the ski blocks" 37,the tooth 46 also being similarly oriented relative to the direction ofrotation of the impeller 13.

Each ski block" 37 is constructed and so positioned relative to thesizing ring 16 that the apex of its uppermost tooth 43 is greater thanone-quarter inch but preferably approximately three-quarters of an inchfrom the cylindrical portion 18 of the sizing ring 16.

Each leading surface or end 41 of an associated ski block" 37facilitates an upward lifting of particles whereby particles may becomesheared in scissorslike fashion between the edge 28 of a fixed blade anda tooth 43 of a ski block" 37. A trailing end 48 of a ski block 37 maycomprise a generally perpendicular surface relative to the disc 30, forproviding sufficient turbulence in the wake of the ski block" 37 toprovide a reverse flow component of a fluid pulsing effect caused by theimpeller 13 in a manner later to be described.

A ramp means 50 is provided, welded or otherwise secured to the disc 30,about the washer 33 in the form of a helical wire comprisingapproximately two-thirds of a complete revolution as viewed in plan andhaving a pitch sufficiently large to enable it to reach substantiallythe elevation of the upper end of a "ski block" 37 or beyond, the wire50 being welded at its lowermost end 51 to the disc 30 and having a freeupper end 52.

A pair of angles 53 are provided, being of L-shaped cross section andare welded or otherwise secured to the lowermost surface of the disc 30,disposed in oficenter relation as viewed in F IG. 2 each having alowermost flange portion 54 extending downwardly therefrom, into thetank evacuation cavity 12 for impelling fluid and approximately sizeddebris outwardly of the chamber 12. The L-shaped sections 53 may besecured to the disc 30 by means of cap headed screws 55 or the like asdesired.

The chamber portion 12 is defined by a generally sloped angular sidewall57 and a bottom wall 58, the bottom wall having a bore 60 therein inwhich there is received the shaft 31, sealed against fluid loss duringrotation by suitable packing or seal 61. At the rightmost end of thechamber 12, as viewed in FIG. 1, there is illustrated an outlet opening62 for comminuted particles and liquid.

OPERATION The apparatus of FIGS. 1 through 4 is operative to provideextended periods of operation without clogging, wherein debris isreduced to particles of the desired size. The impeller 13 is rotated ina counterclockwisedirection, as illustrated in FIG. 2, such that anyrags or the like debris which may tend to ball-up or accumulate in thecenter of the disc 30 are engaged by the lowermost portion 51 of thecoil ramp means 50, and are lifted upwardly by the rotation of the coil50 to be thrown or tossed radially outwardly after passing the upper end52 of the coil 50 to an outermost portion of the tank 11, for undergoingfurther pulping.

Also during rotation of the impeller 13, rags, sheets of plastic and thelike will be partially reduced in size as will-cans, bottles and thelike, by means of the teeth 36 in the manner set forth in the abovementioned application. However, rags and plastic sheets and similar sucharticles, such as sheet metal and i the like may be sheared to smallersizes upon being engaged by the sloped surface 41 of a ski block" 37 andlifted upwardly until the ski block" 37 approaches a fixed blade 27carried by the flange 15 of the tank 11. The debris is then sheared in ascissorslike fashion between the leading-edge 44 of the tooth 43 mountedon a surface 42 of the ski block 37 and the adjacent chamfered or slopededge 28 of the fixed blade 27 toward which the tooth 43 is moving in itsrotation. The tearing of rags, plastic and the like is furtherfacilitated by the abrasive 25 on the lower surface of the fixed blade24.

Also during rotation of the impeller 13, fluid and debris is thrownradially outwardly by centrifugal force toward the sizing ring 16.Particles which have been reduced to sufficient size to pass through theholes 21 of the sizing ring 16 may pass through the ring 16 butparticles which are not of a sufficiently reduced size, such as sheetsof plastic and the like may be thrown against and remain across holes 21in the sizing ring 16, blocking the passage of fluid therethrough. Thiseffect is overcome as each of the ski blocks" 37 passes such holes whichmay be covered by plastic or the like in that there is a zone ofturbulence set up behind each ski block adjacent to the perpendicularsurface 48 thereof which causes a radial inward rush of liquid thereby"sucking" or drawing the plastic away from the holes 21, and therebycompleting a pulsing effect provided by the impeller 13 and its carriedski blocks" 37. Any particles that may tend to reside radially outwardlyof the impeller 13, but have not passed through the holes 21 of thesizing ring 16 may be cut or abraded by teeth 46 disposed on theoutermost surface of the ski block." Also, the abrasive surface 25beneath the fixed blade 24,, as well as the abrasive particles 23 .onthe upper surface of the ring 22 further cooperate to additionallyreduce the size of particles within the tank 11.

The outermost edge 40 of the disc 30 is in running clearance with theradial innermost surface 29 of the ring portion 22v defining an annularclearance void 49, or annulus therebetween, of minimum thickness. Thedisposition of annulus 49 radially inwardly relative to the cylindricalportion 18 of the ring 16 enables the fluid and debris which is impelledradially outwardly to pass through the holes 21, passing over theannulus 49, rather than being impelled therethrough due to thecombination of transverse flow of fluid through the holes 21 relative tothe downwardly opening annulus 49 and due to the substantial spacing ofthe annulus 49 from the sizing ring portion 18. Thus, as fluid passesthe annulus 49, it is radially outwardly directed relative to the centerof rotation of the impeller 13 and not in the high-pressurezoneimmediately adjacent to the sizing ring 16. Undesirable clogging ofthe annulus 49 is thus prevented due to its geometrical configurationand unique location.

Referring now to FIG. 5 in detail, another form of this invention isillustrated as comprising a tank 70, generally similar to the tank ofthe embodimentillustrated in F168. 1 and 2, including a radiallyinwardly and downwardly extending annular flange 71. A lower housingportion 72 provides a lower chamber 73 for receiving liquid and pulpsolids which pass through a sizing ring 74. The sizing ring At thecenter of the impeller 82, there is provided a ramp means 88, comprisinga cutaway section of an arcuate metal sheet which is configured toencompass about two-thirds of a circle. The uppermost edge 90 of theramp means 88 defines a generally helical path similar to that definedby the wire 50 illustrated in FIG. 4. The ramp means 88 is welded orotherwise connected to the upper surface of the disc 83 outwardly of thewasher 86, and is functionally operative in much the same manner as thehelical wire 50, but has the additional support provided by the sheetmetal configuration of the ramp means 88 as opposed to a wire ramp means50. While the sheet metal type ramp means 88 is illustrated in FIG. 5,it is to be understood that the wire type of ramp means is also readilyoperable with the modification of this invention illustrated in FIG. 5,in lieu of the ramp means 88.

On the upper surfacelof the disc 83 there are arranged a plurality ofteeth 91 also generally similar to the teeth 36 illustrated in FIG. 2.

The modification of FIGS. 5 and 6 is principally a modification of thestructure which effects a scissorslike shearing action for rags, plasticsheets and other solid particles. A ski block 92 is mounted on the disc83 by means of bolts 93. Generally two ski blocks 92 will be provided,each being the general configuration of the ski blocks" 37lof FIGS. 1and 2 but being of increased width to accommodate a pair of teeth 94 and95, these teeth being generally similar in structure and orientation tothe teeth 43 of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. A tooth 96 is alsoprovided on the radial outermost surface 97 of the ski block" 92 forfunctioning in a manner similar to the tooth 46 illustrated in FIG. 2.

A plurality of equidistantly circumferentially spaced fixed blades 98are provided secured to the flange 77 of the sizing ring 74 andconsequently to the flange 71 of the tank 70 by the fasteners 78, eachfixed blade 98 having a chamfered or angularly cut edge 100 facing theleading edges of teeth 94 and 95 which move there-toward during rotationof the disc 83 in a counterclockwise direction as illustrated by thearrow indicated in FIG. 6. The fixed blade 98 includes a flange portion101 and a free end portion 102, the free end portion being disposed at aslight angle or being slightly out of parallel with the upper surface ofthe disc 83, extending slightly downwardly toward a centermost portionof the disc 83. The free end portion 102 of the fixed blade 98 is alsoprovided with an abrasive 103 on the under surface thereof, and carriesa tungsten carbide tooth 104 depending downwardly therefrom but securedas by welding thereto, the tooth 104 having its leading edge 105 facingin a reverse direction to the leading edges of any of the teeth 91, 94or 95 in the immediate vicinity beneath the tooth 104, for providingincreased shearing as .solid particles are lifted upwardly by the,surface of a ski block" 92 and are engaged between the three teeth 94,95 and 104. 1

Shearing portions of each tooth 104 will be spaced from correspondingadjacent portions of each of the teeth 94 or 95 by a predeten'ninedamount, for example, one-eighth inch as is the tooth 43 of FIG. 2 spacedfrom the lower surface of the fixed blade 24 by an amount generally setat one-eighth inch, but such spacing distance can be varied if desired.However, the particular arrangement of FIGS. 5 and 6 whereby particlesmay be engaged between the three teeth 94, 95 and 104 and 74 is providedwith holes 75 in its cylindrical annular portion 76, and includes anwhereby an abrasive 103 is provided on opposite sides of the tooth 104above portions of the teeth 94 and 95 has been found to bean extremelyeffective arrangement for effecting size reduction of rags, plasticsheets and other materials.

With particular reference to FIG. 7, there is illustrated a sideview-showing the approach of a ski block" 92 with a tooth 95 carried atan uppermost portion thereof toward a surface thereof. An impeller 82 ispro- 1 fixed blade 98 and in particular the approach of. the movingtooth toward a fixed tooth 104. It will be noted that the forward edge99 of the tooth 95 is in nonparallel relationship to the rearwardlydirected but leading edge of the tooth 104. This is to effect a shearingand to assure the same rather than allowing solids to become lodgedbetween parallel surfaces of the teeth 95 and 104, and has been found tobe effective for this purpose.

It will be apparent to one skilled in the artthat various modificationscan be made in the materials of construction, and in the arrangementsand interarrangement of various parts of the pulping apparatus of thisinvention without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionas recited in the appended claims. Also, various changes in theoperating techniques may also be effected, all within the scope of theinvention.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for use in pulping solids into substantially reducedsizes comprising tank means for receiving solids therein in a liquidmedium, rotary impeller means disposed within said tank means, andcutting means carried by each'of said tank means and said impeller meansfor effecting a scissorslike cutting therebetween of solids within saidtank means, said cutting means including a substantially horizontallydisposed blade having a cutting portion thereon, wherein said tank meansincludes a ring-like portion having a substantially upstandingcylindrical sidewall with substantially horizontally directed fluidoutlet openings therein.

2. The apparatus defined in claim means comprises at least one fixedblade carried by said tank means and at least one cooperating cuttingmember which is rotatably movable with said impeller means.

3. An apparatus for use in pulping solids into substantially reducedsizes comprising tank means for receiving solids therein in a liquidmedium, rotary impeller means'disposed within said tank means, andcutting means carried by each of said tank means and said impeller meansfor effecting a scissorslike cutting therebetween of solids within'saidtank means, wherein said cutting means comprises at least one fixedplatelike blade carried by said tank means and at least one cooperatingcutting member which is rotatably movable with said impeller means butspaced inwardly from an outer edge thereof, wherein said fixed blade issubstantially horizontally disposed and said cutting member extendsvertically upwardly from said impeller means toward, but terminatingbelow said fixed blade, with said impeller means also beingsubstantially horizontally disposed.

4. The apparatus defined in claim 3, wherein said cutting memberincludes a separate hardened cutting element fixedly secured on anuppermost end portion thereof.

5. An apparatus for use in pulping solids into substantially reducedsizes comprising tank means for receiving solids therein in a liquidmedium, rotary impeller means disposed within said tank means, andcutting means carried by each of said tank means and said impeller meansfor effecting a scissorslike cutting therebetween of solids within saidtank means, wherein said cutting means comprises at least one fixedblade carried by said tank means and at least one cooperating cuttingmember which is rotatably movable with said impeller means, wherein saidfixed blade is substantially horizontally disposed and said cuttingmember extends vertically upwardly from said impeller means toward, butterminating below said fixed blade, with said impeller means also beingsubstantially horizontally disposed, wherein said fixed blade includesan abrasive lower surface.

1, wherein said cutting 6. An apparatus for use in pulping solids intosubstantially reduced sizes comprising tank means for receiving solidstherein in a liquid medium, rotary impeller means disposed within saidtank means and said impeller means for effecting a scissorslike cuttingtherebetween of solids within said tank means, wherein said cuttingmeans comprises at least one fixed blade carried by said tank means andat least one cooperating cutting member which is rotatably movable withsaid impeller means, wherein said fixed blade is substantiallyhorizontally disposed and said cutting member extends verticallyupwardly from said impeller means toward, but terminating below saidfixed blade, with said impeller means also being substantiallyhorizontally disposed, wherein said cutting member includes a radiallyoutwardly directed cutting element disposed on a radially outermostsurface thereof relative to said impeller means.

7. An apparatus for use in pulping solids into substantially reducedsizes comprising tank means for receiving solids therein in a liquidmedium, rotary impeller means disposed within said tank means, saidimpeller means being generally of disclike configuration and havingcutting means thereon, said tank means including a ringlike portionhaving a substantially upstanding cylindrical sidewall withsubstantially horizontally directed fluid outlet openings therein, saidringlike portion being spaced radially outwardly of said impeller means,to provide a running clearance annulus with the outer edge of saidimpeller means, said annulus being spaced radially inwardly from anddirected perpendicular to said fluid outlet openings of said ringlikeportion, said impeller means being adapted to impel liquid through saidopenings, transversely across an adjacent end of said annulus.

8. An apparatus for use in pulping solids into substantially reducedsizes comprising tank means for receiving solids therein in a liquidmedium, rotary platelike impeller means disposed within said tank means,and cutting means disposed within said tank means, including ramp meanslocated at a central portion of said impeller means and carried at itslower end only on the upper end of said platelike impeller means andsloping upwardly substantially from an upper surface of said impellermeans, for lifting solids through a liquid medium and away from a lowercentral portion of said impeller means, during rotation of said impellermeans.

9. An apparatus for use in pulping solids into substantially reducedsizes comprising tank means for receiving solids therein in a liquidmedium, rotary platelike impeller means disposed within said tank means,and cutting means disposed within said tank means, including ramp meanslocated at a central portion of said impeller means andsloping upwardlysubstantially from an upper surface of said impeller means, for liftingsolids through a liquid medium and away from a lower central portion ofsaid impeller means, during rotation of said impeller means, whereinsaid ramp means comprises a wire member of helixlike configuration,connected to said impeller means at one end thereof.

' 10. An apparatus for use in pulping solids into substantially reducedsizes comprising tank means for receiving solids therein in a liquidmedium, rotary platelike impeller means disposed within said tank means,and cutting means disposed within said tank means, including ramp meanslocated at a central portion of said impeller means and sloping upwardlysubstantially from an upper surface of said impeller means, for liftingsolids through a liquid medium and away from a lower central portion ofsaid impeller means, during rotation of said impeller means, whereinsaid ramp means comprises a portion of a cylindrically configuredmember, the upper edge of which presents a ramp of continuouslyincreasing height relative to said impeller means.

11. An apparatus for use in pulping solids into substantially reducedsizes comprising tank means for receiving solids therein in a liquidmedium, rotary impeller means disposed within said tank means, andcutting means carried by each of said tank means and said impeller meansfor effecting a scissorslike cutting therebetween of solids within saidtank means,

wherein said tank means includes a ringlike portion having asubstantially upstanding cylindrical sidewall with substantiallyhorizontally directed fluid outlet openings therein, wherein saidcutting means comprises an upstanding member carried by said impellermeans and having a leading and a trailing end during rotation of saidimpeller means, said leading end being sloped at an acute angle relativeto an upper surface of said impeller means.

12. The apparatus defined in claim 11 angle is less than 60.

13. An apparatus for use in pulping solids into substantially reducedsizes comprising tank means for receiving solids therein in a liquidmedium, rotary impeller means disposed within said tank means andcutting means carried by each of said tank means and said impellermeans'for effecting a scissorslike cutting therebetween of solids withinsaid tank means, wherein said tank means includes a ringlike portionhaving a substantially upstanding cylindrical sidewall withsubstantially horizontally directed fluid outlet openings therein,wherein said cutting means comprises at least one fixed blade carried by,said tank means and at least one cooperating cutting member which isrotatably movable with said impeller means, wherein said cutting membercarries first and second cutting edges closely adjacent but spacedradially from each other relative to the center of said impeller means,said fixed blade carrying a cutting element with a third cutting edge,said third cutting edge being adapted to pass between said first andsecond cutting edges upon rotation of said impeller means.

14. The apparatus defines in claim 13, wherein said third cutting edgeis adapted to cooperate with said leading first and second cutting edgesin cutting solids as said first and second cutting edges approach saidthird cuttingedge during rotation of said impeller means, said thirdcutting edge defining with each of said first and second edges an acuteangle.

15. The apparatus defined in claim 13, wherein said cutting memberincludes a radially outwardly directed cutting element disposed on aradial outermost surface thereof relative to said impeller means.

16. An apparatus for use in pulping solids into substantially whereinsaid acute reduced sizes comprising tank means for receiving solids.

therein in a liquid medium, rotary impeller means disposed within saidtank means, and cutting means carried by each of said tank means andsaid impeller means for effecting a scissorslike cutting therebetween ofsolids within said tank means, wherein said cutting means comprises atleast one fixed blade carried by said tank means and at least onecooperating cutting member which is rotatably movable with said impellermeans, wherein said fixed blade is substantially horizontally disposedand said cutting member extends vertically upwardly from said impellermeans toward, but terminating below said fixed blade, with said impellermeans also being substantially horizontally disposed, wherein saidimpeller means is generally of disclike configuration and having cuttingmeans thereon, said ringlike portion being spaced radially outwardly ofsaid impeller means, to provide a running clearance annulus with theouter edge of said impeller means, said annulus being spaced radiallyinwardly from and directed perpendicular to said fluid outlet openingsof said ringlike portion, said impeller means being adapted to impelliquid through said openings transversely across an adjacent end of saidannulus, including ramp means located at a central portion of saidimpeller means, for lifting solids through a liquid medium and away froma lower central portion of said impeller means, during rotation of saidimpeller means, wherein said cuttingmember carries first and secondcutting edges closely adjacent but spaced radially from each otherrelative to the center of said impeller means, said fixed blade carryinga cutting element with a third cutting edge, said third cutting edgebeing adapted to pass between said first and second cutting edges uponrotation of said impeller means, and with the lower surface of saidfixed blade having an abrasive thereon.

1. An Apparatus for use in pulping solids into substantially reducedsizes comprising tank means for receiving solids therein in a liquidmedium, rotary impeller means disposed within said tank means, andcutting means carried by each of said tank means and said impeller meansfor effecting a scissorslike cutting therebetween of solids within saidtank means, said cutting means including a substantially horizontallydisposed blade having a cutting portion thereon, wherein said tank meansincludes a ringlike portion having a substantially upstandingcylindrical sidewall with substantially horizontally directed fluidoutlet openings therein.
 2. The apparatus defined in claim 1, whereinsaid cutting means comprises at least one fixed blade carried by saidtank means and at least one cooperating cutting member which isrotatably movable with said impeller means.
 3. An apparatus for use inpulping solids into substantially reduced sizes comprising tank meansfor receiving solids therein in a liquid medium, rotary impeller meansdisposed within said tank means, and cutting means carried by each ofsaid tank means and said impeller means for effecting a scissorslikecutting therebetween of solids within said tank means, wherein saidcutting means comprises at least one fixed platelike blade carried bysaid tank means and at least one cooperating cutting member which isrotatably movable with said impeller means but spaced inwardly from anouter edge thereof, wherein said fixed blade is substantiallyhorizontally disposed and said cutting member extends verticallyupwardly from said impeller means toward, but terminating below saidfixed blade, with said impeller means also being substantiallyhorizontally disposed.
 4. The apparatus defined in claim 3, wherein saidcutting member includes a separate hardened cutting element fixedlysecured on an uppermost end portion thereof.
 5. An apparatus for use inpulping solids into substantially reduced sizes comprising tank meansfor receiving solids therein in a liquid medium, rotary impeller meansdisposed within said tank means, and cutting means carried by each ofsaid tank means and said impeller means for effecting a scissorslikecutting therebetween of solids within said tank means, wherein saidcutting means comprises at least one fixed blade carried by said tankmeans and at least one cooperating cutting member which is rotatablymovable with said impeller means, wherein said fixed blade issubstantially horizontally disposed and said cutting member extendsvertically upwardly from said impeller means toward, but terminatingbelow said fixed blade, with said impeller means also beingsubstantially horizontally disposed, wherein said fixed blade includesan abrasive lower surface.
 6. An apparatus for use in pulping solidsinto substantially reduced sizes comprising tank means for receivingsolids therein in a liquid medium, rotary impeller means disposed withinsaid tank means and said impeller means for effecting a scissorslikecutting therebetween of solids within said tank means, wherein saidcutting means comprises at least one fixed blade carried by said tankmeans and at least one cooperating cutting member which is rotatablymovable with said impeller means, wherein said fixed blade issubstantially horizontally disposed and said cutting member extendsvertically upwardly from said impeller means toward, but terminatingbelow said fixed blade, with said impeller means also beingsubstantially horizontally disposed, wherein said cutting memberincludes a radially outwardly directed cutting element disposed on aradially outermost surface thereof relative to said impeller means. 7.An apparatus for use in pulping solids into substantially reduced sizescomprising tank means for receiving solids therein in a liquid medium,rotary impeller means disposed within said tank means, said impellermeans being generally of disclike configuration and having cutting meansthereon, said tank means including a ringlike portion hAving asubstantially upstanding cylindrical sidewall with substantiallyhorizontally directed fluid outlet openings therein, said ringlikeportion being spaced radially outwardly of said impeller means, toprovide a running clearance annulus with the outer edge of said impellermeans, said annulus being spaced radially inwardly from and directedperpendicular to said fluid outlet openings of said ringlike portion,said impeller means being adapted to impel liquid through said openings,transversely across an adjacent end of said annulus.
 8. An apparatus foruse in pulping solids into substantially reduced sizes comprising tankmeans for receiving solids therein in a liquid medium, rotary platelikeimpeller means disposed within said tank means, and cutting meansdisposed within said tank means, including ramp means located at acentral portion of said impeller means and carried at its lower end onlyon the upper end of said platelike impeller means and sloping upwardlysubstantially from an upper surface of said impeller means, for liftingsolids through a liquid medium and away from a lower central portion ofsaid impeller means, during rotation of said impeller means.
 9. Anapparatus for use in pulping solids into substantially reduced sizescomprising tank means for receiving solids therein in a liquid medium,rotary platelike impeller means disposed within said tank means, andcutting means disposed within said tank means, including ramp meanslocated at a central portion of said impeller means and sloping upwardlysubstantially from an upper surface of said impeller means, for liftingsolids through a liquid medium and away from a lower central portion ofsaid impeller means, during rotation of said impeller means, whereinsaid ramp means comprises a wire member of helixlike configuration,connected to said impeller means at one end thereof.
 10. An apparatusfor use in pulping solids into substantially reduced sizes comprisingtank means for receiving solids therein in a liquid medium, rotaryplatelike impeller means disposed within said tank means, and cuttingmeans disposed within said tank means, including ramp means located at acentral portion of said impeller means and sloping upwardlysubstantially from an upper surface of said impeller means, for liftingsolids through a liquid medium and away from a lower central portion ofsaid impeller means, during rotation of said impeller means, whereinsaid ramp means comprises a portion of a cylindrically configuredmember, the upper edge of which presents a ramp of continuouslyincreasing height relative to said impeller means.
 11. An apparatus foruse in pulping solids into substantially reduced sizes comprising tankmeans for receiving solids therein in a liquid medium, rotary impellermeans disposed within said tank means, and cutting means carried by eachof said tank means and said impeller means for effecting a scissorslikecutting therebetween of solids within said tank means, wherein said tankmeans includes a ringlike portion having a substantially upstandingcylindrical sidewall with substantially horizontally directed fluidoutlet openings therein, wherein said cutting means comprises anupstanding member carried by said impeller means and having a leadingand a trailing end during rotation of said impeller means, said leadingend being sloped at an acute angle relative to an upper surface of saidimpeller means.
 12. The apparatus defined in claim 11, wherein saidacute angle is less than 60*.
 13. An apparatus for use in pulping solidsinto substantially reduced sizes comprising tank means for receivingsolids therein in a liquid medium, rotary impeller means disposed withinsaid tank means and cutting means carried by each of said tank means andsaid impeller means for effecting a scissorslike cutting therebetween ofsolids within said tank means, wherein said tank means includes aringlike portion having a substantially upstanding cylindrical sidewallwith substantially horizontAlly directed fluid outlet openings therein,wherein said cutting means comprises at least one fixed blade carried bysaid tank means and at least one cooperating cutting member which isrotatably movable with said impeller means, wherein said cutting membercarries first and second cutting edges closely adjacent but spacedradially from each other relative to the center of said impeller means,said fixed blade carrying a cutting element with a third cutting edge,said third cutting edge being adapted to pass between said first andsecond cutting edges upon rotation of said impeller means.
 14. Theapparatus defines in claim 13, wherein said third cutting edge isadapted to cooperate with said leading first and second cutting edges incutting solids as said first and second cutting edges approach saidthird cutting edge during rotation of said impeller means, said thirdcutting edge defining with each of said first and second edges an acuteangle.
 15. The apparatus defined in claim 13, wherein said cuttingmember includes a radially outwardly directed cutting element disposedon a radial outermost surface thereof relative to said impeller means.16. An apparatus for use in pulping solids into substantially reducedsizes comprising tank means for receiving solids therein in a liquidmedium, rotary impeller means disposed within said tank means, andcutting means carried by each of said tank means and said impeller meansfor effecting a scissorslike cutting therebetween of solids within saidtank means, wherein said cutting means comprises at least one fixedblade carried by said tank means and at least one cooperating cuttingmember which is rotatably movable with said impeller means, wherein saidfixed blade is substantially horizontally disposed and said cuttingmember extends vertically upwardly from said impeller means toward, butterminating below said fixed blade, with said impeller means also beingsubstantially horizontally disposed, wherein said impeller means isgenerally of disclike configuration and having cutting means thereon,said ringlike portion being spaced radially outwardly of said impellermeans, to provide a running clearance annulus with the outer edge ofsaid impeller means, said annulus being spaced radially inwardly fromand directed perpendicular to said fluid outlet openings of saidringlike portion, said impeller means being adapted to impel liquidthrough said openings transversely across an adjacent end of saidannulus, including ramp means located at a central portion of saidimpeller means, for lifting solids through a liquid medium and away froma lower central portion of said impeller means, during rotation of saidimpeller means, wherein said cutting member carries first and secondcutting edges closely adjacent but spaced radially from each otherrelative to the center of said impeller means, said fixed blade carryinga cutting element with a third cutting edge, said third cutting edgebeing adapted to pass between said first and second cutting edges uponrotation of said impeller means, and with the lower surface of saidfixed blade having an abrasive thereon.